With the approaching summer season, every person starts enjoying the pleasures of juicy appetites followed by pool parties and long days. Our food habits tend to change during summer. The same is applied to dogs and other animals. The long sunny days are a blessing for dogs. But even then, summer has its disadvantages.
During this season, dogs lose their appetite. Some concerned parents think it to be a health issue. But, there is nothing to worry about. Loss of appetite is not a sign of sickness in your canines. There are certain summer veggies and fruits that have been proved essential for the dog by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is necessary to know about the beneficial food for dogs in summer to keep their health in place.
Suggested: Common Diseases in Dogs During Summer and How to Cure Them?
Top 10 Foods for Dogs in Summer
To keep your dog healthy, nutrients are a must. But, filling the bowl with happiness and beneficial food is difficult. The commercial dog food may not look like it consists of nutrients. But, these dog foods do have required vegetables, vitamins and grains.
Dogs of all stages cannot eat the same food. As an owner, make sure you pick the correct food for your dog’s stage- is it a puppy, a pregnant or an adult one. It is also suggested to provide dry food to your dog. Dry food will keep the dog’s teeth in a better position. For dogs that do not drink water should be given wet food. This way, they get the required moisture in their system.
Tips for maintaining a healthy diet:
- The puppies of 6 months old should be given food twice or thrice a day.
- Adult dogs should also be given food twice a day.
- The amount of food should depend on the stage of life your dog is in.
- The food amount also depends on the breed of your dog. A Border Collie is one of the active dog breeds. Therefore, he might require more food than the Chihuahua who prefers to rest than running about.
Summer food for dogs:
Not only humans, but dogs should also enjoy summer most healthily. Given below are 10 food items that are good for dogs during the summer season.
Watermelons:
This fruit contains about 90% of the water. This makes them one of the most ideal foods for dogs in summer. This hydrated food is packed with potassium and fibre. It also contains vitamins like B6, A and C. This is an excellent food to beat the heat. But, make sure you remove the seeds before allowing your dog to eat them. Seeds of any fruit can lead to intestinal blockage in pets.
Ginger:
Ginger is also an ideal food for dogs in summer. It has anti-inflammatory properties keeping the body and tummy cool during summer. You can also add ginger to the frozen treats or coconut water. If your dog dislikes ginger, this process will help you disguise ginger in the delicacies that are liked by them.
Cucumber:
Cucumbers are one of the best snacks and among the most ideal food for dogs in summer. This food contains vitamins like B1, B7 and C. It also has a low content of carbohydrates and sugar and is rich in potassium and copper. Cucumber also helps in losing weight in summer. Such features make it an essential food for dogs during the summer season.
Ice-Cream:
Ice-creams are loved by everyone, including pets. Many dogs love a scope of vanilla or mango. But, this should not be given in large amounts since all dogs cannot handle lactose. For such situations, you can prepare pet-friendly ice cream at home. Just mix a banana and some fresh yoghurt. A pinch of cinnamon in it will be useful for dogs suffering from arthritis. It also makes up for one of the best foods for dogs in summer.
Pineapple:
Pineapples provide proper immunity and are good for digestion. It is also one of the best foods for dogs in summer. Two slices of this fruit are enough for any dog breed, especially Pooch. It includes magnesium, iron, copper and amounts of phosphorous and zinc. It also contains a small amount of sugar.
Mangoes:
One of the delicious tropical delights is mango. This fruit is liked by almost every canine. It is rich in Vitamins A, B6, C and E. Make sure you don’t feed the peal or pit to your pet. Being one of the best foods for dogs in summer, this fruit builds up the immune system.
Blueberries:
Blueberries are a nutritious fruit, rich in fiber and Vitamin C. It is also one of the most ideal foods for dogs in summer. It increases the antioxidants in the blood and has a low content of fat in them. This treat also has low levels of sugar and calories.
Potatoes:
This is one of the best foods for dogs in summer. It is required by the pets to keep their immunity level high. Potatoes are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium and iron. These ensure that your dog is not facing a digestion problem. However, they should never be served raw potato.
Yoghurt and buttermilk:
This cool bacterium is a must-have in the hot summers. Being one of the ideal foods for dogs in summer, these treats resolve any problem related to body heat. The lactic acid that this treat include solves any gastrointestinal problem related to the pet’s stomach. It is also naturally healthy.
Spinach:
Spinach is one of the important foods for dogs in the summer season. This highly healthy food should be fed to the dog now and then. They not only tackle any gastrointestinal problem but are also good for the bones. It is also rich in fibers and Vitamins like A, B, C and K.
Conclusion:
Given above are the essential foods for dogs in summer. But sometimes, owners aren’t aware of the food habits they should follow during the summer season. Some of the food items are warmer and have different energetics. Foods like turkey, trout and sweet potato are unsuitable for dogs during the summer season. Some food items even have a lot of fat in them. Fat is not the right item for dogs since they are athletic. Consuming fatty foods will reduce their athletic nature.
Given below are feeding tips of dogs during the summers:
- Control your dog’s appetite regularly and increase or decrease their portion accordingly.
- Avoid feeding them very cool food. Such food items may not be healthy for the dog’s stomach.
- Summers can be tiring. Therefore, try feeding them under a shade.
- Fat and warm items should be avoided during summers. This can make their tummy warm and cause health issues.
- Ensure that your dog is fasting once a week. Instead, they can be given just a meaty bone to chew all day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. Which food items help in cooling a dog’s stomach?
Food like duck and rabbit are cool food items. These items bring down the inflammation of the body.
What can I give my dog to eat during summer?
Frozen fruit treats or Chicken soup cubes will be a good way to cool down your dog’s stomach.
Given below are feeding tips of dogs during the summers
1. Control your dog’s appetite regularly and increase or decrease their portion accordingly.
2. Avoid feeding them very cool food. Such food items may not be healthy for the dog’s stomach.
Summers can be tiring. Therefore, try feeding them under a shade.
3. Fat and warm items should be avoided during summers. This can make their tummy warm and cause health issues.
4. Ensure that your dog is fasting once a week. Instead, they can be given just a meaty bone to chew all day.